Shock-absorber.



T. G. GUSHMAN.

SIOUX ABBOBBEB.

nruonxox num nt sa, 1an.

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS G. CUSHMAN, 0F SUNLAND, CALIFORNIA.

SHOCK-ABSORBER.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, THOMAS G. CUSHMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Sunland, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California,have invented new and useful Improvements in Slioclc-Absorbers, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to a shock absorber of the spring or resilienttype, being desioned to absorb the rebounding energy o a vehicle bymeans of a resilient. mechanism rather than a frictional mechanism; andthe invent-ion refers particularl to improvements in such resilient mecianisms whereby not only are the advantages of a shock absorber and anequalizer reached,

.but a radius mechanism is provided for the wheel axles.

I am aware that it is old to employ a spring and toggle arrangement forabsorbing the shocks incident to road travel (such an arrangement. beingshown in my application filed August Sth, 1910, and bearing S. N.576,244;) I do not now claim such arrangement broadly, but claim myspecific arrangement, as an improvement, for accomplishing certainresults unaccomplished by my former mechanism.

In its present form, my invention now consists of a pair of toggles,each toggle having one end aiiixed to the vehicle frame and axle,respectively, and having their other ends secured together and attachedto the end of a spring or springs which resist their motion in suchdirection as .to

prevent the upward rebound of the vehicleA framc`and the axle; all thismechanism being arranged with such relation to the frame and the axlethat an equalizer is formed which tends to hold the axle .in positionagainst any horizontal road re` sistance and to thereby hold the vehiclespring in correct form.

In the accompan ing drawings I have Speclcation of Letters Patent.

Application tiled May 23, 1911.

Patented Dee. 19, 1911.

Serial No. 628,903.

the running gear to the frame. For the purposes o 'my present inventionI use a pair of toggles connected between the frame and spring. Toggle 8is pivotally secured at 10 to a clamp- 11 which surrounds axle 6 whiletoggle 9 is pivotally secured at 12 to frame 5. It will be noted thatVpoint; 12 is not directly above oint 10, being arranged rearwardly oftiat point (forward being to the right in the drawings); but. this 1snot necessarily the case. In the con.- struction illustrated, the axleis spaced downwardly from the 4frame so far that the adjacent ends ofthe two links are somewhat below the lower edge of thet'rame. This makesthe arrangement such that springs 15, attached between the links andframe, pull upwardly as well as horizontally. It may be conceived that adili'erent relative position of the frame and axle, and dilierentdimensions of the parts might cause the spring to be locateddifferently. The ends of toggles 8 and.9 are looped as shown at 13andengaged with a member 14 which is provided with means for-engagement'by the ends ofsprings 15. I have shown springs 15 as two in number; but

they may be single or o'f any desired number, depending upon the servicerequired. The other ends of the springs are engaged with a member 16from which a bolt 17 leads to a fixture 18 secured to the side of frame5. Nuts 19 provide for the adjustment of the position of bolt 17 and,consequently, for the adjustment of the tention of springs 15. l

The general arrangement and disposition of the parts is shown in Fig. 2;and from this figure it will be seen that there is a constant tendencyto pull axle 6 forwardly as wellv as upwardly, the forward pull beingthe horizontal component of the pull exerted through link 48.Consequently, the resultant of all the forces on the axle could b'typically represented by the arrow shown, tie greater part of this forcebeing directed upwardly with a lesser component directed horizontallyand forwardly. This is an extremely desirable arrangement as it providesfor holdin axle .6 to its correct posil tion against horizontal movementwhen the axle has a tendency to `move rearwardly under 'road impact andthis action keeps the vehicle sprmg )I in its correct position and form;while, at the same time, the

major action Vof the spring and toggles .is

to prevent the movement apart of-*the ,frame and axle. Moreover, mydevice 'doeg notrov'de an entirely rigid radiusmember, ut does allow acertain amount of horizontal movement of the axle without any movementof the. vehicle frame and this overcomes the difliculty inhering insolid radius members that such members necessarily transmit allhorizontal' vibrations of the axle directly to theV frame. Thus I amenabled to a gregate the advantages of a radius rod with all theadvantages of easyA riding which `a consti-action having:lr 'no radiusrod has heretofore enjoyed. And, at i the same time, AI have provided adcvicei which preventsthe violentV upward rebounding of, the framewhile,V at the saine time, allowing perfect freedom ofrelativelmovenient'of axle and frame nnder ordinary conditions.

llaving'described my invention, l claim: l. In combination with avehicle having an axle and a frame lspring supported there on, a linkpivoted at one end to the frame 9 and extending diagonally lowinvardlytoward the axle, another link pivoted to the axle andextending-,diagonally npwardlyj and toward the free end of the firstinentioned link, and a resilient member cow; nocted to the adjacent endsofthe links and 1 connected tothe frame. g

2. In `combination with a vehicle having" :in axle and 'a frame springsnp`ported thereon, `a. link pivoted at onev end to the; axle, anotherlink pivoted at one end to the i @Sweet frameirearward of .the pivotalattachment of the first mentioned link, the free ends of `both linksbeing adjacent each other, and a -o'l tbe Ipivotal connection of thelirst nientioned link, the linke` extending forwardliv and toward carbother and having their ollior ends adjacent eachother, and a springhaving,lr one end attached to the last mentioned Linda of the links andhaving its other end adjiista'blv secured to the frame, thil arrangementbeing auch that the force exerted by the spring acts 'along a lineextending diagonally iipwardly from thepoiiit of connection to thillinks and approximatelyat 'right angles to a lino Joining the pivotalconnections of 1hr links to theeonnection and frame.

'in witness that l rlann the foregoing| l bave hereunto subsi-ritual inv naine thisl'tb da'v of May, Iflll.

'l`. G. CUSIlMAN.

Witnesses: Y

.finitas LQ Piimnisii,

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